You can continuously contribute blood samples to our dog and cat biobank, regardless of your pet’s health status. Every sample is valuable. On this page, you can find active research projects where we are especially looking for more samples. Larger datasets help us achieve better results. Visit the project pages to learn more about each study and how to participate.
On small screens, the table is compressed. For the best experience, view it on a larger screen like a computer.
Suggest a Research Topic
If your breed has a condition that isn’t listed, you can suggest a research project. Send your ideas by email to tutkimusidea-koira@helsinki.fi. We review your ideas regularly and treat them confidentially.
How to Read the Table
In the table, terms such as "affected dog" and "close relative" are used. Here is what we mean by them:
Affected dog: A dog that has shown symptoms or changes suggestive of the research topic. If you are unsure whether your dog fits this definition, please contact the project’s contact person.
Healthy dog: A dog that has never shown symptoms or changes suggestive of the research topic. The dog may still have other conditions; for example, osteoarthritis does not prevent participation as a healthy control in epilepsy studies.
Close relative: Close relatives primarily refer to first-degree relatives, meaning parents, littermates, and possible offspring. Second-degree relatives can also be useful for research, including half-siblings, grandparents, offspring of offspring, and siblings of the parents.
Epilepsy
Contact person: Tiina Harmas (tiina.heinonen@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| epilepsy | affected dogs, healthy close relatives, healthy dogs over 7 years | all breeds |
| epilepsy | affected dogs, healthy close relatives, healthy dogs over 7 years | Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherds, Border Collie |
Behavior and Personality
Contact person: Tiina Harmas (tiina.heinonen@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| behavioral genetics | all dogs | all breeds |
| behavioral genetics | all dogs | Labrador Retriever, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherds, Border Collie |
Neurological Diseases
Contact persons: Tiina Harmas (tiina.heinonen@helsinki.fi), Minna Ikonen (minna.e.ikonen@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| paroxysmal dyskinesia | affected dogs, healthy close relatives, healthy dogs over 7 years | all breeds |
| paroxysmal dyskinesia | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Swedish Vallhund |
| neuroaxonal dystrophy | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Shiba |
| neuroaxonal dystrophy | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Chihuahua |
| cerebellar ataxia | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Norrbottenspitz |
| hypomyelination | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | German Shepherd |
| spongiform encephalomyelopathy | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Spanish Water Dog |
| ataxia | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Bichon Frisé |
| lysosomal storage disease | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Peruvian Hairless Dog |
Eye Diseases
Contact persons: Sara Mikkonen (sara.mikkonen@helsinki.fi), Janika Juusola (janika.juusola@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| PRA | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Belgian Shepherd |
| PRA | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Finnish Lapphund |
| PRA | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Australian Kelpie |
| nystagmus | all affected and healthy dogs | Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka |
| day blindness | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Labrador Retriever |
Heart Diseases
Contact person: Heidi Peltonen (heidi.peltonen@helsinki.fi, p.029 412 5679)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| non-structural heart diseases: arrhythmias / cardiac-related sudden deaths | all affected and healthy dogs | Leonberger |
| non-structural heart diseases: arrhythmias / cardiac-related sudden deaths | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | all breeds |
Dental Diseases
Contact persons: Noora Salokorpi (noora.salokorpi@helsinki.fi), Heidi Peltonen (heidi.peltonen@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| amelogenesis Imperfecta | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Border Collie |
| amelogenesis Imperfecta | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Dachshund |
| amelogenesis Imperfecta | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Dobermann |
| hyperdontia | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | German Shorthaired Pointer |
Skeletal Disorders
Contact persons: osteochondrosis: Tiina Harmas (tiina.heinonen@helsinki.fi), other skeletal disorders: Marjo Hytönen, marjo.hytonen@helsinki.fi
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| shoulder osteochondrosis | all dogs with examined shoulders | all breeds, especially Border Collies |
| osteogenesis imperfecta | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Finnish Lapphund |
Hearing Loss
Contact persons: Noora Salokorpi (noora.salokorpi@helsinki.fi), Marjo Hytönen (marjo.hytonen@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Breed |
| congenital hearing loss and deafness | dogs who are deaf or have hearing impairment, and hearing close relatives | Finnish Spitz |
| congenital hearing loss and deafness | dogs who are deaf or have hearing impairment, and hearing close relatives | Golden Retriever |
| adult onset deafness | dogs whose hearing declines at 5–7 years of age | Bordercollie, Australian Shepherd, other affected dogs |
| deafness and ataxia | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Finnish Hound |
| deafness syndrome | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Novascotian Duck Tolling Retriever |
Other diseases
Contact person: Marjo Hytönen (marjo.hytonen@helsinki.fi)
| Research Topic | What We Collect | Rodut |
| congenital hairlessness | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Whippet |
| cholesteryl ester storage disease | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Field Spaniel |
| Myopathy | affected dogs, healthy close relatives | Border Collie |
Survey studies
Not all of our research requires sending a sample – we also conduct studies based on online surveys. We have developed a Me and my dog MOOC course, as part of which you can respond to our research group’s surveys on topics such as your dog’s personality, behavior, and your own attachment to the dog, while also receiving personalized reports based on your responses. The course is open indefinitely.
Contact: lohi-kayttaytymistutkimus@helsinki.fi
| Research Topic | Target group |
| Behavior and Personality, Owner personality Owned-dog attachment, puppy blues | All breeds |
Photo: Elisa Vainio
